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Alexandru gently lowered Zari to her feet upon reaching the spiral staircase, a majestic masterpiece with rails made of gold and the steps covered in lush red carpet.

His sly smile reappeared when he caught the look of dismay on his pet’s face. “Disappointed I let you go?”

“Of course not.” But as usual, her face belied her words as her cheeks turned pink with guilt.

His smile widened. “Liar.” He adopted a regretful tone. “I’m sorry, pet. I don’t think I can carry you all the way to the first floor. You’ve gained a little weight—-”

Her jaw dropped. “I did not!” She wrapped her arms around her middle, feeling self-conscious. Had she? Come to think of it, she had noticed how she ate more than most girls in school. All of them seemed to survive only on leaves and fruits while she couldn’t survive a day without being a carnivore. Was that why—-

Alexandru’s laugh put a halt to her thoughts. “Relax, pet. I was only teasing.”

The look on his face told Zari he meant it. She sputtered in indignation. So many words flew into her mind, but in the end all she could grit out was, “Bully!”

Still laughing, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “You must forgive me. It’s only because I’ve been away from you for far too long that I need to have my fill of your blushes.”

His words made her blush harder and she accused, “You’re doing it again.”

“Am I?” He looked at her with sham innocence, and he did appear like a black-haired prince who could do no wrong.

Just like that, and her irritation vanished. Gah! She was so hopeless. All he had to do was give her his puppy-eyed look of innocence and poof! There went her always-justified feelings of anger, and instead she was left feeling all gooey and mushy.

Was there really no way to combat a vampire’s powers of sexual attraction?

Alexandru tugged on her hand then, making Zari glance up. “Shall we go?”

She went with him, walking with her Master hand in hand even as she asked, “Where?” Her voice was embarrassingly breathless, but she couldn’t help it. A part of her was still in shock by the fact that Alexandru was really here with her.

As they descended, Alexandru asked, “How are you finding school so far?” He rubbed her knuckles as he spoke, a simple gesture that had her swallowing as it sent tingles all over her body.

Clearing her throat, she mumbled, “It’s fine.”

“Liar.”

Her Master said it in such a cheerful tone she had to glare up at him.

Alexandru chuckled. “But you are. I only had to spend a few seconds in your class to know that everyone hates your guts.”

“They do not.”

“Of course they do. I’m your Master, aren’t I?”

“Yes,” she said very seriously. “They hate me because you’re my Master and you are a disgrace to your race.”

Laughter, dark and as sinfully attractive as its owner, followed her words, and it was clear to see that nothing she’d say would succeed in putting a dent in his humongous ego.

When they reached the foot of the stairs, Zari was surprised when she felt Alexandru reach for her head and ruffle her hair. She was even more surprised when she heard her murmur in her mind.I’m sorry, pet.

Their gazes met, his green eyes unreadable, her gray eyes questioning.What are you apologizing for, Master?

I’m apologizing for leaving you her for so long, despite knowing that your personality wouldn’t have allowed you to make friends easily with the other pets.

His sincere apology made her frown very hard at the ground. His words touched and embarrassed her, but at the same time, a part of Zari was also hurt. She was right then. Her Masterhadknown the predicament she would find herself in. He did know her well enough to guess she’d have trouble fitting in.

But in the end, he had still left her.

Perhaps if Zari had been any other pet, she would have been able to tell him he was wrong for leaving her. She would have been able to demand he take her with him next time. But she was not. She was Zari, the human pet who had forced herself on her Master.

So out loud, she said, “I’ll make friends eventually, Master.”